Hong Kong, 10 February 2020 – The Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) is closely monitoring the impact of the novel coronavirus infection in Hong Kong and Mainland China on the event industry.  The Hong Kong Special Administrative Government (HKSAR Government) puts public health as the top priority, raised the response level under the “Preparedness and Response Plan for Novel Infectious Disease of Public Health Significance” to Emergency Response Level on 25 January 2020, and has implemented a host of prevention and control measures as an all-out effort to minimise risks of virus infection and spreading in local community.

To tie in HKSAR Government’s strategy of reducing the risk of the spread of the novel coronavirus in the community, large-scale public events organised by the HKSAR Government have been cancelled.  All trade fairs and public exhibitions scheduled in February 2020 have been postponed.

The HKECIA will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) to update industry players of the development.

Most importantly, our industry colleagues strive for ensuring that the health and safety of the workers in our industry and attendees to events are safeguarded.  At the same time, we are well prepared for welcoming events and international visitors once the situation improves and allows large-scale events to take place.  The two major venues for holding international events, namely Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE) have implemented preventive measures in response to novel coronavirus infection.  Please visit HKCEC website https://www.hkcec.com/en/preventive-measures-hkcec-response-novel-coronavirus-infection and AWE website https://www.asiaworld-expo.com/ for details.

Event organisers, exhibitors, visitors can always refer to HKTB’s official website “DiscoverHongKong.com” for the latest information.

HKSAR Government’s Disease Prevention and Control Measures (Implemented) as of 8 February 2020

Port Health Measures Enhanced

  • Temperature check is being conducted at Hong Kong International Airport (Airport) for both departing and transit passengers. No boarding is allowed for passengers with fever.
  • Health declarations and temperature checks are required for inbound travellers at the Airport, Shenzhen Bay Control Point, and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Control Point.
  • Entry of Hubei Province residents and people who visited Hubei Province over the past 14 days into Hong Kong is restricted.
  • All people entering Hong Kong from the Mainland, or people who have been to the Mainland in the past 14 days preceding arrival at Hong Kong, are required to be quarantined for 14 days, starting from 8 February.

Transport services between the Mainland reduced/suspended

  • Flight and high-speed train services to and from Wuhan are indefinitely suspended.
  • Services of the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link and the Intercity Through Train are suspended.
  • Passenger services of 12 control points (i.e. Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, West Kowloon Station, Hung Hom Station, Macau Ferry Terminal, China Ferry Terminal, Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal, Lok Ma Chau, Sha Tau Kok, Man Kam To, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and Ocean Terminal) are suspended.

Measures to minimize spreading in Hong Kong

  • All Hong Kong residents who have visited Hubei Province in the past 14 days are arranged to stay in quarantine centres for surveillance.
  • Civil servants are working from home during 29 January to 16 February 2020. The HKSAR Government also appeals to employers of the private sector to make arrangement to reduce the risk of the spread of the virus.

Tips to travellers visiting Hong Kong

  • Contact the event organisers and check their respective websites before you visit.
    • Maintain good personal hygiene during your visit. Wash hands frequently to help keep germs at bay. Wearing a surgical mask is helpful when taking public transport or staying in crowded places.
    • The situation is changing fast so be sure to check out the website of the Centre for Health Protection (chp.gov.hk) or call HKTB Visitor Hotline via +852 2508 1234 (9am to 9pm daily) or webchat service for the latest updates.

Yours sincerely,

Stuart Bailey

Chairman of Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association